Great-grandmother dies after being left on hospital floor

POLICE are investigating following the death of a great-grandmother allegedly left alone on a mattress on a hospital floor.

Bernice allegedly left alone on a mattress on the floor of a hospital room.

Bernice Zair, 89, was admitted to hospital late last year with an infection before contracting pneumonia from which she died.

But her son Sam Zair, a county councillor, discovered his frail mother curled up on a mattress on the floor during a visit.

Following an official referral by social services about the treatment Mrs Zair received at Darlington Memorial Hospital, Co Durham, before her death on January 18, police have launched an inquiry.

Cafe owner Mr Zair, a member of County Durham Council, said: “She was on a mattress on a floor on her own in a room, we couldn’t believe what we were seeing.

“She was a typically strong Italian woman, very hard-working, and worked right up to beyond retirement. She used to help out in the shop and was a fantastic cook. She liked to please everyone.”

His mother was admitted to the hospital on Sunday December 16 last year and Mr Zair found his mother on the mattress on Wednesday December 19 at around 6.30pm.

Mr Zair said his mother had initially spent 72 hours on a ward before being transferred to the room. Mr Zair’s wife Lesley added: “I wouldn’t treat my dog like this – truthfully I wouldn’t. There was not even a pillow under Sam’s mum’s head.

“Remember, this is an 89-year-old lady. I was just horrified to see a mattress on the floor with Sam’s lovely mum curled up on it.”

She was a typically strong Italian woman, very hard-working, and worked right up to beyond retirement. She used to help out in the shop and was a fantastic cook. She liked to please everyone.

Mr Zair

Mr Zair, who represents the Wear Valley Independent Group for Bishop Auckland, said there were other “major issues” under investigation – adding that there seemed to be a lack of staff on duty, many of whom were agency staff.

But he said he was unable to discuss the case further because of the police investigation.

A spokesperson for Durham Police said: “The matter has been referred to us and enquiries are in their very early stages.”

A spokesman for County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust said: “We offer our condolences to Mr Zair for his recent loss.

“We have received his complaint which is being investigated with the involvement of the police, in line with local safeguarding adults guidance.

“We have made Mr Zair aware that we cannot complete our investigation and respond to the issues he has raised until the police investigation is complete.